U.S. patent application number 14/165869 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-07 for table saw.
This patent application is currently assigned to NANJING BOVON POWER TOOLS CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is NANJING BOVON POWER TOOLS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Thomas Bernhardt, Seow Bak Chai, Hongbo Li, Xin Wu, Xiaoxiang Zhao.
Application Number | 20140216224 14/165869 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50556419 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140216224 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bernhardt; Thomas ; et
al. |
August 7, 2014 |
TABLE SAW
Abstract
A table saw includes a base, a work table having a cutting
opening, a tank for receiving cooling liquid, a blade partly
extending out from the cutting opening, and a guard assembly. The
guard assembly includes a guard for covering the blade and for
moving upwards under the action of a workpiece. In a working
condition, at least a portion of the guard abuts against the
workpiece, and the workpiece can slide relative to the guard. The
guard has a guiding wall which abuts against the workpiece in the
working condition and which guides the cooling liquid into a kerf
in the workpiece formed by the blade. Because the table saw
collects the cooling liquid brought by the blade and returns it to
the tank for receiving the cooling liquid through the cutting
opening of the work table, the table saw effectively controls the
cooling liquid splashed during the cutting operation of the
workpiece and prevents the cooling liquid from splashing to dirty
the operator, the work table, and the workpiece, saves the time of
cleaning the workpiece after cutting, and enhances the operating
comfort of the operator.
Inventors: |
Bernhardt; Thomas; (Nanjing,
CN) ; Chai; Seow Bak; (Nanjing, CN) ; Li;
Hongbo; (Nanjing, CN) ; Wu; Xin; (Nanjing,
CN) ; Zhao; Xiaoxiang; (Nanjing, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NANJING BOVON POWER TOOLS CO., LTD. |
Nanjing |
|
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
NANJING BOVON POWER TOOLS CO.,
LTD.
Nanjing
CN
|
Family ID: |
50556419 |
Appl. No.: |
14/165869 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
83/102.1 ;
83/169 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 83/263 20150401;
B27G 19/08 20130101; B28D 7/02 20130101; B23D 59/02 20130101; B23D
45/06 20130101; Y10T 83/2077 20150401; B28D 1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
83/102.1 ;
83/169 |
International
Class: |
B23D 59/02 20060101
B23D059/02; B23D 45/06 20060101 B23D045/06; B27G 19/08 20060101
B27G019/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 2, 2013 |
CN |
201310044042.0 |
Jan 20, 2014 |
CN |
201410027558.9 |
Claims
1. A table saw comprising: a base; a work table, for carrying a
workpiece, supported on the base, the work table having a cutting
opening; a tank for accommodating a cooling liquid arranged below
the work table; a blade, driven by a motor, which partially extends
out from the cutting opening; and a guard assembly associated with
the work table, the guard assembly comprising a guard element for
covering at least a portion of the blade, wherein the guard element
comprises: an inside wall extending from a center area above the
blade to both sides of the guard element outwardly and downwardly;
a cooling liquid guiding channel extending along a lower portion of
the guard element and descending towards a backend of the guard
element; and a discharging opening communicating with the cooling
liquid guiding channel, the discharging opening allowing the
cooling liquid to flow away from the guard element and back into
the tank through the cutting opening.
2. The table saw according to claim 1, wherein the discharging
opening is located at the backend of the guard element.
3. The table saw according to claim 2, wherein the discharging
opening substantially aligns with the blade in a feeding direction
of the workpiece, and substantially aligns with the cutting opening
in a vertical direction.
4. The table saw according to claim 3, wherein, when the workpiece
is moved to the backend of the guard element, the discharging
opening, a kerf of the workpiece, and the cutting opening are
substantially in alignment.
5. The table saw according to claim 1, wherein the cooling liquid
guiding channel comprises a first side adjacent to the blade and a
second side away from the blade and coupled to the inside wall, and
the first side is higher than the second side in a vertical
direction.
6. The table saw according to claim 5, wherein the guard element
comprises at least one baffle therein connecting with at least one
of the inside wall and the cooling liquid guiding channel.
7. The table saw according to claim 1, wherein the guard assembly
comprises a riving knife connected to the guard element and
associated with the work table.
8. The table saw according to claim 7, wherein the guard element is
formed with an engaging slot for engaging with the riving knife,
and the riving knife is extended through the engaging slot.
9. The table saw according to claim 8, wherein the riving knife is
formed with at least one guiding element communicating with the
discharging opening and the cutting opening.
10. The table saw according to claim 7, wherein the guard assembly
comprises a locking knob mounted on the riving knife, and the guard
element is capable of being locked at a certain position relative
to the riving knife by the locking knob.
11. The table saw according to claim 1, wherein the guard element
comprises at least one window for observing a cutting point which
is arranged in a frontend of the guard element.
12. The table saw according to claim 11, wherein the window is
provided with a blocking element for preventing the debris produced
during the cutting operation flying towards the operator which is
extended towards the backend of the guard element obliquely and
upwardly.
13. The table saw according to the claim 1, wherein the guard
element comprises a guiding part, and at least one outmost edge at
a side of the guiding part is located outside of or flush with the
outmost edge at a same side of the guard element.
14. The table saw according to the claim 13, wherein the guiding
part comprises a guiding board extending towards a front of the
blade obliquely and upwardly in a direction parallel to a plane of
the blade and extending from one side of the blade to another side
of the blade in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the
blade.
15. The table saw according to the claim 1, wherein the guard
element comprises a flexible ring, mounted to a bottom of the guard
element, which comprises a guiding wall for guiding the cooling
liquid, and the guiding wall has a front part and a rear part which
is closer to the blade than the front part.
16. The table saw according to the claim 15, wherein a flexible
liquid retainer is coupled to the front part of the flexible ring,
which is extended from an inner wall of the flexible ring towards
the blade so as to form a retaining edge enclosing a part of the
blade, and the retaining edge protrudes from a bottom surface of
the flexible ring.
17. The table saw according to the claim 1, wherein at least one
wiper is disposed at the backend of the guard element and covers a
kerf of the workpiece, and at least a part of the wiper protrudes
from a bottom surface of the guard element.
18. The table saw according to claim 17, wherein the wiper
comprises at least one wiping rib comprising a front end adjacent
to the blade and a back end distal from the blade, and the back end
is closer to the kerf of the workpiece than the front end, and the
wiping rib protrudes from the bottom surface of the guard
element.
19. The table saw according to claim 1, wherein a flexible body is
disposed under the work table, which contacts with the blade
directly.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of CN 201410027558.9,
filed on Jan. 20, 2014, and CN 201310044042.0, filed on Feb. 2,
2013, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference
in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The following generally relates to table saws and, more
particularly, to a cooling liquid guiding system for a table
saw.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] A table saw can be used for cutting materials such as
porcelain tile, ceramic tile, and so on. As shown in FIG. 1, a
conventional table saw mainly comprises a base 11, a work table 12
supported on the base 11, a tank 13 arranged below the work table
12 for accommodating a cooling liquid, a blade 14 driven by a
motor, and a guard assembly 15 mounted on the base 11.
[0004] During the cutting operation, the blade 14 is driven by the
motor to perform a high-speed rotating motion, and a workpiece is
positioned on the work table 12. Then the workpiece is pushed
toward the blade 14 gradually by the operator to perform the
cutting operation. When the blade 14 rotates at high speed, the
cooling liquid in the tank 13 will be brought to a cutting area on
the work table 12 by the blade 14. Thus, there is a lot of cooling
liquid splashing around the cutting edge of the blade 14. In the
prior art, the guard assembly 15 is used to block the splashing
cooling liquid. However, the guard assembly 15 can only cover a
part of the blade 14, and there is still another part of the blade
14 exposed. Therefore, the guard assembly 15 can only block a part
of the cooling liquid brought by the blade, and most of the cooling
liquid will splash to the operator and flow to the work table and
the workpiece, as shown by arrows in FIG. 1. As a result, the
clothes of the operator would be stained by the cooling liquid
brought by the blade. Further, the cooling liquid blocked by the
guard assembly falls on the work table or the workpiece, and stains
the work table and the workpiece.
SUMMARY
[0005] The following describes a table saw that overcomes the
deficiencies existing in the prior art and which can effectively
prevent the cooling liquid from splashing during the cutting
operation.
[0006] An exemplary table saw that meets these objectives comprises
a base; a work table, for placing a workpiece, supported on the
base, the work table having a cutting opening; a tank for
accommodating the cooling liquid arranged below the work table; a
blade driven by a motor which partially extends out from the
cutting opening; and a guard assembly mounted on or adjacent to the
work table, the guard assembly comprising a guard element for
covering at least a portion of the blade, wherein the guard element
comprises an inside wall extending from a center area above the
blade to both sides of the guard element outwardly and downwardly;
a cooling liquid guiding channel extending along a lower portion of
the guard element and descending towards the backend of the guard
element; and a discharging opening communicating with the cooling
liquid guiding channel, the discharging opening allowing the
cooling liquid to flow away from the guard element and go back into
the tank through the cutting opening.
[0007] In the working condition, at least a portion of the guard of
the table saw abuts against the workpiece, and a hollow chamber is
formed between the guard and the workpiece. As a result, the
cooling liquid brought to the work table when the blade rotates at
high speed is controlled into the hollow chamber, and then the
cooling liquid cannot splash to the outside of the guard, which
effectively controls the splashing of the cooling liquid. Due to
the inside wall, the cooling liquid that falls towards the
workpiece is guided to the kerf in the workpiece formed by the
blade, thus the cooling liquid can get away from the surface of the
workpiece via the kerf in the workpiece, which ensures there is no
redundant cooling liquid left on the surface of the workpiece.
[0008] Preferably, the kerf of the workpiece and the cutting
opening of the work table are almost in one line, so the cooling
liquid can flow back to the tank for receiving the cooling liquid
through the kerf of the workpiece and the cutting opening of the
work table. Thus, the described table saw has the function of
collecting the cooling liquid brought by the blade and then guiding
and returning it to the tank for receiving the cooling liquid
through the cutting opening of the work table, which effectively
controls the cooling liquid that is splashed during the cutting
operation of the workpiece, prevents the cooling liquid from
splashing to dirty the operator, the surroundings and the
workpiece, saves the time of cleaning the workpiece after the
cutting operation, and enhances the operating comfort of the
operator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a table saw of the prior
art;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an exemplary table saw
constructed according to the description which follows in a
non-working condition;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the table saw in a working
condition;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an exemplary guard assembly of
the table saw;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the inner structure of
the guard assembly of FIG. 4;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the guard assembly of
FIG. 4;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the table saw in a working
condition;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged view showing the inner
structure of the guard assembly of FIG. 4;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an exemplary flexible
ring of the guard assembly of FIG. 4 guiding the liquid;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a further exemplary guard
assembly;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a still further exemplary
guard assembly;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a front view of the guard assembly of FIG.
11;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the guard assembly of FIG.
11;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a partial enlarged view of the portion E1 of FIG.
12; and
[0023] FIG. 15 is a partial enlarged view of the portion E2 of FIG.
12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2-3, a table saw of the present invention
comprises a base 21, a work table 22, for carrying a workpiece 20,
supported on the base 21, a tank 23 (as shown in FIG. 7) arranged
below the work table 22 for accommodating the cooling liquid, a
blade 24 driven by a motor and a guard assembly 25. The guard
assembly 25 is capable of being mounted directly on the work table
22 or a component adjacent to the work table 22 and comprises a
guard element 254 for covering at least a portion of the blade 24.
The work table 22 has a cutting opening 220 (as shown in FIG. 6)
from which the blade 24 partially extends out. In a non-working
condition, as shown in FIG. 2, the extended portion of the blade 24
is covered by the guard element 254.
[0025] The table saw further comprises a cooling liquid guiding
system. The cooling liquid brought out of the tank 23 by the blade
24 rotating at high speed can be restrained within the guard
element 254 by the cooling liquid guiding system, and then flow out
of the guard element 254 for return back to the tank 23 through the
cutting opening 220. Thereby the cooling liquid is collected and
back flowed. The cooling liquid guiding system comprises the guard
assembly 25 for restraining the cooling liquid brought by the blade
24, the work table 22 having the cutting opening 220 and the tank
23 for accommodating the cooling liquid.
[0026] The following will describe the structure of the guard
assembly 25 being capable of controlling and guiding the cooling
liquid brought by the blade.
[0027] It should be noted that "frontend" in this description means
the end adjacent to the operator during the operation, and
"backend" means the end away from the operator.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, the guard assembly 25 comprises a riving
knife 251, a link mechanism 252, a locking knob 253 and the guard
element 254. A flexible ring 255 is mounted to the bottom of the
guard element 254. The guard assembly 25 is mounted on the work
table 22 or a component near the work table 22 by the riving knife
251. Specifically, the riving knife 251 is formed with mounting
holes 2511 at its lower end, and bolts will pass through the
mounting holes 2511 and engage with threaded holes on the working
table 22 or the component near the working table 22, whereby the
riving knife 251 and the whole guard assembly 25 are fixed to the
working table 22 or the component near the working table 22.
[0029] The guard element 254 is connected with the riving knife 251
by the link mechanism 252, and can move upwards and downwards
relative to the riving knife 251. The link mechanism 252 comprises
a first connecting rod 2521, a second connecting rod 2522, and a
spring 2523 connected between the first and second connecting rod
2521, 2522. A first mounting plate 2541 and a second mounting plate
2542 extend from the guard element 254, which are parallel to each
other. A gap is formed between the first and second mounting plate
2541, 2542. A first end of each of the first and second connecting
rod 2521, 2522 is connected to the upper end of the riving knife
251 respectively by a bolt 2524, and a second end of each of the
first and second connecting rod 2521, 2522 is inserted into the gap
and respectively connected to the first and the second connecting
rod 2521, 2522 by a bolt 2525. The spring 2523 provides an acting
force so that the guard element 254 will tightly abut against the
work table 22 or the workpiece 20. In the non-working condition, as
shown in FIG. 2, the guard element 254 tightly abuts against the
work table 22, and due to the flexible ring 255, an enclosed
chamber is formed between the guard element 254 and the working
table 22. In the working condition, as shown in FIG. 7, at least a
portion of the guard element 254 tightly abuts against the
workpiece 20, and the workpiece 20 can move relative to the guard
element 254. In other embodiments, the spring 2523 may be replaced
by other elastic elements such as torsion spring or even be
omitted. If the spring is omitted, the guard element 254 abuts
against the work table 22 or the workpiece 20 under the action of
gravity.
[0030] The locking knob 253 is connected to one of the bolts 2524
for fixing the guard element 254 at a certain position relative to
the riving knife 251. In this embodiment, the locking knob 253 is
connected to the bolt 2524 at the first end of the first connecting
rod 2521. When the locking knob 253 is locked, the first connecting
rod 2521 is fixed, and the guard element 254 is fixed at a certain
height. When the locking knob 253 is released, the guard element
254 is operable of being moved upwards and downwards. In other
embodiments, the locking knob 253 may also be connected to the bolt
2524 at the first end of the second connecting rod 2522.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the guard element 254 is formed with a
window 2540 at its front end, through which the operator can easily
observe a cutting point. The cutting point herein refers to the
contact point between the cutting edge of the blade and the
workpiece. The window 2540 comprises a division plate 2570 dividing
the window 2540 into two parts. The division plate 2570 is located
above the cutting point and has a width greater than the thickness
of the blade 24 so as to block debris from traveling towards the
eyes of the operator. It should be noted that the shape and the
number of the window may be changed according to the requirements
as long as the cutting points can be observed easily.
[0032] The guard element 254 further comprises a guiding part 2543
at its front end. The guiding part 2543 extends toward the front of
the guard element 254 obliquely and upwardly. In this embodiment,
the guiding part 2543 includes two guiding ribs. As shown in FIG.
3, during the cutting operation, the workpiece 20 is placed on the
work table 22, and then pushed toward the blade 24 by the operator.
The workpiece 20 first contacts the guiding rib 2543 and then
overcomes the acting force of the spring 2523 so that the guard
element 254 is lifted and moved upwards, and finally the guard
element 254 falls on the workpiece 20 and tightly abuts against the
workpiece 20 under the action of the spring 2523. As shown in FIG.
7, if the workpiece 20 has not reached the backend of the guard
element 254, a part of the bottom surface of the guard element 254
tightly abuts against the workpiece 20. As shown in FIG. 8, when
the workpiece 20 reaches the backend of the guard element 254, the
whole bottom surface of the guard element 254 tightly abuts against
the workpiece 20.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 9, the flexible ring 255 comprises a
guiding wall 2553 at its backend for guiding the flowing direction
of the cooling liquid. The guiding wall 2553 has a front part and a
rear part which is closer to the blade than the front part.
Preferably, the guiding wall 2553 is a V-shaped inclined plane.
Under the action of the spring 2523, the guiding wall 2553 abuts
against the workpiece 20. Preferably, the flexible ring 255 is a
rubber ring; in other embodiments, the flexible ring 255 may also
be formed by other flexible materials such as felt, brush bristles,
and so on.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 5, the guard element 254 is generally
configured as arc-shaped. As shown in FIG. 6, the guard element 254
has an arc-shaped section and an arc-shaped inside wall extending
from a center area of the guard element 254 above the blade 24
towards two sides of the guard element 254 outwardly and
downwardly. The guard element 254 comprises a first side wall 2544
and a second side wall 2545 opposite to each other. Thus, the guard
element 254 is constituted to form a chamber therein. In FIG. 5,
the first side wall 2544 is removed, thus the inner structure of
the guard element 254 is clearly shown. A first guiding plate 2546
and a second guiding plate 2547 are respectively mounted on the
lower part of the inner wall of the first side wall 2544 and the
second side wall 2545, and each of the first guiding plate 2546 and
the second guiding plate 2547 extends towards the backend of the
guard element 254 obliquely and downwardly along the first side
wall 2544 and the second side wall 2545, that is to say, the
frontend of each of the first and second guiding plate 2546, 2547
is higher than the backend thereof, and the angle .beta. between
each of the first and second guiding plate 2546, 2547 and the
horizontal plane is more than 1.degree.. A space is formed between
the first guiding plate 2546 and the second guiding plate 2547,
through which the blade 24 can pass. In the sectional view as shown
in FIG. 6, the first guiding plate 2546 and the second guiding
plate 2547 forms a "splayed" shape. The configuration of the first
guiding plate 2546 and the second guiding plate 2547 forms a first
guiding channel 2548 and a second guiding channel 2549. Each of the
first and second guiding channel 2548, 2549 comprises a first side
adjacent to the blade 24 and a second side away from the blade 24
and coupled to the inside wall of the guard element 254, and the
first side is higher than the second side in the vertical
direction.
[0035] At the backend of the guard element 254, a discharging
opening 2560 is formed between the first guiding plate 2546 and the
second guiding plate 2547. The discharging opening 2560
substantially aligns with the blade 24 in the feeding direction,
and communicates with the cutting opening 220. When the workpiece
20 is moved to the backend of the guard element 254 below the
discharging opening 2560, the discharging opening 2560 communicates
with a kerf 200 of the workpiece cut by the blade 24 and the
cutting opening 220. Preferably, in the perpendicular direction,
that is, in the direction perpendicular to the work table 22, the
discharging opening 2560 substantially aligns with the cutting
opening 220, and when the workpiece 20 moves to the back of the
blade 24 below the discharging opening 2560, the discharging
opening 2560 substantially aligns with the kerf 200 of the
workpiece and the cutting opening 220. It should be noted by the
person skilled in the art that the discharging opening 2560 may
partly align with the kerf 200 of the workpiece and the cutting
opening 220 or communicate with each other by additional guiding
mechanisms.
[0036] A blocking plate 2550 is arranged in front of the
discharging opening 2560. Since the first guiding channel 2548 and
the second guiding channel 2549 become narrower gradually toward
the back end thereof, the blocking plate 2550 can prevent the
cooling liquid in the first and second guiding channel 2548, 2549
from flowing back to the workpiece 20.
[0037] A first baffle 2551 and a second baffle 2552 which are
configured as reversed U-shaped are arranged within the guard
element 254 for blocking the cooling liquid brought by the blade 24
into the guard element 254 and guiding the cooling liquid splashing
to the first baffle 2551 and the second baffle 2552 into the first
guiding channel 2548 and the second guiding channel 2549. The first
baffle 2551 and the second baffle 2552 are respectively connected
between the top in the guard element 254 and the first guiding
plate 2546 and the second guiding plate 2547, and separated from
the inner surfaces of the first side wall 2544 and the second side
wall 2545 of the guard element 254. In other embodiments, the first
baffle 2551 and the second baffle 2552 may only be connected to the
inner surfaces of the first side wall 2544 and the second side wall
2545 of the guard element 254, or only connected to the first
guiding plate 2546 and the second guiding plate 2547.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 7, the tank 23 for receiving the cooling
liquid is filled with the cooling liquid. A portion of the blade 24
is immerged into the cooling liquid. A third baffle 231 is arranged
at the back of the blade 24, and the lower end of the third baffle
231 is also immerged into the cooling liquid, and the upper end is
laterally provided with a flexible body 232 extending towards the
blade 24. A slot is cut in the flexible body 232 through which the
blade 24 passes and directly contacts the flexible body 232.
Preferably, the flexible body 232 is felt, and in other
embodiments, the flexible body 232 may also be formed by other
flexible materials.
[0039] The following will describe the working process of the
cooling liquid guiding system.
[0040] In the working condition, the blade 24 is driven by the
motor to rotate at high speed, and plenty of the cooling liquid may
rotate with the blade 24. As shown by dashed arrows in FIG. 7, the
dashed arrows indicate the splashing direction of the cooling
liquid brought by the blade 24 from the tank 23 for receiving the
cooling liquid. One part of the cooling liquid may be blocked by
the flexible body 232 so as to fall into the tank 23 for receiving
the cooling liquid, and the other part of the cooling liquid may
splash through the gap between the flexible body 232 and the blade
24 and may be brought to the work table 22 by the blade 24 so as to
cool the blade 24. Since the flexible body 232 directly contacts
the cutting edge of the blade 24, the cooling liquid may be
distributed on the cutting edge of the blade 24, thereby reducing
the amount of the cooling liquid brought to the work table 22.
[0041] As shown by the dashed arrows in FIGS. 5-7, the cooling
liquid brought to the work table 22 may enter into the guard
element 254 along the tangential direction of the blade 24 and then
splash to the inner surface of the guard element 254 and the first
and second baffles 2551, 2552. As shown by the solid arrows in
FIGS. 5-7, the solid arrows indicate the flowing direction of the
blocked and collected cooling liquid. The cooling liquid splashed
to the inside wall of the guard element 254 may flow into the first
guiding channel 2548 and the second guiding channel 2549 along the
inside wall, i.e., the inner surfaces of the first side wall 2544
and the second side wall 2545. Meanwhile, the cooling liquid
splashed to the first baffle 2551 and the second baffle 2552 may be
blocked by the first baffle 2551 and the second baffle 2552 and
flow into the first guiding channel 2548 and the second guiding
channel 2549 along the first baffle 2551 and the second baffle
2552. The cooling liquid collected in the first guiding channel
2548 and the second guiding channel 2549 may flow towards the tail
end of the guard element 254 along the inclining direction of the
first guiding channel 2548 and the second guiding channel 2549 and
converge to the discharging opening 2560. Due to the blocking plate
2550 arranged at the discharging opening 2560, the cooling liquid
at the discharging opening 2560 cannot flow back into the guard
element 254. As shown in FIG. 7, if the workpiece 20 has not
reached the back end of the guard element 254 below the discharging
opening 2560, the discharging opening 2560 is substantially in line
with the cutting opening 220 of the work table, thus the cooling
liquid collected in the first guiding channel 2548 and the second
guiding channel 2549 can be discharged from the discharging opening
2560, and fall into the tank 23 for receiving the cooling liquid
through the cutting opening 220 of the work table. As shown in FIG.
8, when the workpiece 20 moves to the back end of the guard element
254 below the discharging opening 2560, the discharging opening
2560 is substantially in line with the kerf 200 of the workpiece
and the cutting opening 220. Thus, the cooling liquid collected in
the first guiding channel 2548 and the second guiding channel 2549
can be discharged from the discharging opening 2560 through the
kerf 200 of the workpiece and the cutting opening 220 of the work
table, and finally flow into the tank 23 for receiving the cooling
liquid.
[0042] Although most of the cooling liquid brought into the guard
element 254 by the blade 24 may be collected in the first guiding
channel 2548 and the second guiding channel 2549, some cooling
liquid cannot be collected in the first guiding channel 2548 and
the second guiding channel 2549, but rather falls on the workpiece
20. As shown in FIG. 9, the cooling liquid which is not collected
in the first guiding channel 2548 and the second guiding channel
2549 can be enclosed into the workpiece area covered by the guard
element 254 via the flexible ring 255. As shown in the solid arrow
in the figures, during the cutting operation, as the workpiece 20
is pushed towards the back end of the guard element 254, the
cooling liquid in the workpiece area covered by the guard element
254 will be moved to the back end of the guard element 254 along
with the workpiece 20, and this part of cooling liquid may be
guided to the kerf 200 of the workpiece by the guiding wall 2553 of
the flexible ring, and finally flow into the tank 23 for receiving
the cooling liquid through the kerf 200 of the workpiece and the
cutting opening 220 of the work table.
[0043] With the above cooling liquid guiding system, the cooling
liquid brought by the blade 24 can be effectively controlled in the
guard element 254 and then effectively collected and guided back to
the tank 23 for receiving the cooling liquid, which can effectively
avoid the cooling liquid from splashing to dirty the operator, the
surroundings, and the workpiece while enhancing the comfort of the
operator upon cutting the workpiece.
[0044] In other embodiments, the first guiding channel 2548 and the
second guiding channel 2549 may be arranged outside of the guard
element 254 and extend to the back end of the guard along the outer
wall of the guard element 254 to form the discharging opening 2560.
The cooling liquid collected in the first guiding channel 2548 and
the second guiding channel 2549 may flow from the discharging
opening 2560 to the tank 23 through the cutting opening 220 of the
work table.
[0045] FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment. This embodiment differs
from the above described embodiment in that the riving knife 251'
of the guard assembly 25' is formed with at least one guiding
element 2512' for guiding the cooling liquid to the cutting
opening. In the present embodiment, the guiding element is a
guiding slot. Person skilled in the art may consider that the
guiding element may be guiding rib or other structure that can
guide the flowing direction of the cooling liquid. Preferably, the
guiding slots 2512' are arc-shaped. Specifically, the shape of the
guiding slots 2512' is the same as the moving track of the
discharging opening, thus the discharging opening is communicated
with the guiding slots 2512' during the whole cutting process.
Therefore, when the guard element 254' is at different heights, the
cooling liquid collected in the first and second guiding channels
can flow to the guiding elements 2512' through the discharging
opening, and then finally flow into the tank for receiving the
cooling liquid through the kerf of the workpiece and the cutting
opening of the work table. This embodiment can guide the cooling
liquid collected in the guiding channels back to the tank more
effectively.
[0046] FIGS. 11-15 show a third embodiment. As shown in FIGS.
11-12, in this embodiment, the back end of the guard element 254''
is formed with an engaging slot 258'' for engaging with the riving
knife 251'', and the riving knife 251'' extends through the
engaging slot 258''. In the direction perpendicular to the plane of
the blade, the width of the elongated slot 258'' is slightly larger
than the thickness of the riving knife 251''. Preferably, in the
direction parallel to the plane of the blade, the length of the
elongated slot 258'' is larger than the length of the riving knife
251''. This design ensures that the guard element 254'' cannot
easily shake in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the
blade and can move relative to the riving knife 251'' in the
direction parallel to the plane of the blade, thus the guard of
this embodiment has good stability.
[0047] The guard element 254'' is connected to the riving knife
251'' by the link mechanism 252''. The link mechanism 252''
comprises a first connecting rod 2521'', a second connecting rod
2522'' and a third connecting rod 2526''. One end of the first
connecting rod 2521'' is mounted to the riving knife 251'' in a
cantilever form by the locking knob 253'', and located above the
guard element 254''. The first end of each of the second connecting
rod 2522'' and the third connecting rod 2526'' is pivotally
connected to the first connecting rod 2521'', and the second end
opposite to the first end is pivotally connected to the side wall
of the guard element 254''. The first end of the second connecting
rod 2522'' is pivotally connected to the front end of the first
connecting rod 2521'', and the first end of the third connecting
rod 2526'' is pivotally connected to the middle part of the first
connecting rod 2521''. Preferably, there are two second connecting
rods 2522'' and two third connecting rods 2526''. The two second
connecting rods 2522'' and the two third connecting rods 2526'' are
respectively arranged on the two sides of the guard element 254''.
The spring 2523'' acts on the second connecting rods 2522'' for
restoring the guard element 254''. In this embodiment, the spring
2523'' is arranged between the first connecting rod 2521'' and the
first end of the second connecting rod 2522'' for the restoration
of the guard element. It should be conceived by the person skilled
in the art that the spring 2523'' may also acts on the third
connecting rod 2526'', or the guard element 254''.
[0048] When the first connecting rod 2521'' is fixed on the riving
knife 251'' by the locking knob 253'', the link mechanism 252''
enables the guard element 254''to move relative to the riving knife
251'' parallel to the plane of the blade, i.e., in the feeding
direction of the blade and the perpendicular direction, thereby
lifting and dropping the guard element 254''.
[0049] In this embodiment, the guiding part 2543'' at the front end
of the guard element 254'' comprises a guiding board 2563'' which
extends obliquely and upwardly toward the front of the guard
element 254'' in the direction parallel to the plane of the blade
and extends from one side of the blade to the other in the
direction perpendicular to the plane of the blade. The
configuration of the guiding board 2563'' can enhance the ability
of angle cutting of the table saw. During the angle cutting
operation, once the workpiece contacts the guiding part 2543'', the
guard element 254'' will move upwards, that is, raises under the
action of the pushing force of the operator.
[0050] In the direction perpendicular to the plane of the blade, at
least one outmost edge at a side of the guiding part 2543'' is
located outside of or flush with the outmost edge at the same side
of the guard element 254''. As shown in FIG. 13, in the direction
perpendicular to the plane of the blade, both of the two outmost
edge 2564'' of the guiding part 2543'' flush with the two outmost
edge 2565'' of the guard element 254''. Specifically, in the
direction perpendicular to the plane of the blade, the two outmost
edges 2564'' of the guiding part 2543'' are the two edges of the
guiding board 2563'', and the two outmost edges 2565'' of the guard
element 254'' are the two edges at the bottom of the guard element
254''. At least one side of the guiding part is outside of or flush
with the side of the guard element, and the workpiece positioned
slantways touches the side of the guiding part first while making
bevel cutting, therefore, the guard element will move upwards under
the action of the pushing force of the operator without lifting the
guard element 254'' manually.
[0051] Further, a blocking element 259'' is additionally disposed
at the window 2540'' on the front end of the guard element 254''
for preventing the debris produced during the cutting operation
flying toward the operator. The blocking element 259'' extends
towards the back of the guard element 254'' upwardly and obliquely.
The extending direction of the blocking element 259'' is opposite
to that of the guiding board 2563''.
[0052] In order to better control the cooling liquid in the guard
element 254'' and prevent the cooling liquid from flowing through
the front end of the guard element 254'', a flexible liquid
retainer 2554'' is disposed at the front part of the flexible ring
255''. The flexible liquid retainer 2554'' extends from the inner
wall of the flexible ring towards the blade, and can be configured
as U-shaped to surround part of the blade. The flexible liquid
retainer 2554'' forms a retaining edge 2555'' which is closer to
the blade than other parts of the flexible liquid retainer 2554'',
i.e., the inner edge of the U-shaped flexible liquid retainer
2554''. As shown in FIG. 14, the retaining edge 2555'' protrudes
from the bottom surface of the flexible ring 255'' and then a
height difference .DELTA.H1 is formed there between. This design
has an advantage in that during the cutting process, the guard
element 254'' is lifted under the action of the pushing action of
the workpiece and falls on the surface of the workpiece. Under the
action of gravity of the guard element 254'' and the spring 2523'',
the flexible ring 255'' and the retaining edge 2555'' abut against
the surface of the workpiece. Since the part of the flexible liquid
retainer 2554' from the inner wall of the flexible ring 255'' to
the retaining edge 2555'' is deformed, a force is exerted to the
retaining edge 2555'' so that the retaining edge 2555'' tightly
abuts against the surface of the workpiece. Therefore, the cooling
liquid is blocked in the chamber formed together by the guard
element 254'' and the workpiece through the retaining edge 2555'',
which effectively prevents the cooling liquid from flowing out of
the front end of the guard element 254'' so as to remain on the
surface of the workpiece.
[0053] In order to prevent the cooling liquid from moving towards
the back of the guard with the workpiece together and remaining on
the surface of the workpiece during the cutting process, the guard
assembly 25'' further comprises a flexible wiper 260'' for wiping
the cooling liquid to the kerf of the workpiece so as to flow back
to the tank for receiving the cooling liquid. The flexible wiper
260'' is arranged at the back end of the guard element 254'' and
abuts against the surface of the workpiece. The flexible wiper
260'' and the flexible ring 255'' may be formed in one piece, or
formed separately and then connected together, or used separately.
As shown in FIG. 15, the flexible wiper 260'' protrudes from the
bottom surface of the guard element 254'' and then a height
difference .DELTA.H2 is formed therebetween. Preferably, the
flexible wiper 260'' has a V-shaped wiping rib 261'' at the side
facing to the workpiece. The opening of the wiping rib 261'' faces
to the blade, and the wiping rib 261'' protrudes from the bottom
surface of the guard element 254''. This design has an advantage in
that during the cutting process, the guard element 254'' falls on
the surface of the workpiece, and under the action of gravity of
the guard element 254'' itself and the spring 2523'', the wiping
rib 261'' tightly abuts against the surface of the workpiece. When
the operator pushes the workpiece towards the blade, the workpiece
is cut by the blade and moves towards the back end of the guard
element 254'', and the wiping rib 261'' can wipe the cooling liquid
on the surface of the workpiece to the guiding plate 251', thereby
effectively preventing the cooling liquid from flowing away from
the back end of the guard element 254'' so as to remain on the
surface of the workpiece which has been cut.
[0054] With the liquid retainer and the wiper arranged on the front
end and the back end of the guard, respectively, this embodiment
can effectively prevent the cooling liquid from flowing away from
the front end and the back end of the guard so as to retain on the
surface of the workpiece, and also control the cooling liquid
within the guard element better to ensure the cleanness of the
surface of the workpiece.
[0055] The cooling liquid guiding system of the table saw is not to
be limited to the structures indicated by the contents of the above
embodiments and drawings. Rather, obvious changes, replacements and
modifications for the shape and position of the members based on
this disclosure are to be considered as falling within the
protection scope of the invention as defined by the following
claims.
* * * * *